The Angel's Cut

Vintner's Luck #2

by Elizabeth Knox

It's Hollywood, 1929. While Conrad Cole is working late on elaborate plans for his aeroplanes and his films, a mysterious stranger appears at his door. Xas soon finds himself caught up in the glamorous and treacherous world of movie-making and entangled with both Cole and a young woman who owes her life to the eccentric director. Both of them are drawn to Xas without knowing his secret - that under his shirt he hides the remnants of great snowy wings that set him apart from humankind, and that he is destined to wander the earth forever, always hearing the beating of feathers behind him, threatening him that his dark brother has found him again.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, LGBT, Angels, Historical Fiction, Queer, Audiobook

448 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

Elizabeth Knox was born in Wellington‚ New Zealand‚ and is the author of eleven novels and three novella and a book of essays.

Reviews

[Siegrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Angel's Cut by Elizabeth Knox is a grown up fairy tale and like the fairy tales for the little ones unpicks the dark seams of the human heart. The angel Xas is back from The Vintner's Luck and this time is in Hollywood, flying stunt planes for the movies. His immortality is a burden and Sobran the love of his life is long lost to time. He becomes infatuated with Cole, a narcissist movie mogul. Xas is deeply damaged by Lucifer's removal of his wings; the stubby remains of these become a secret he hides from his maniacal lover. Cole has all the manias: nymphomania, megalomania and probably a few more that haven't been discovered! He treats Xas and his other lovers appallingly.

Xas befriends two fabulous women: Millie a "coloured" stunt pilot whose dream is to establish a flying school for "coloured" pilots" (banned from learning to fly in "white" flying schools) and Flora, a former actor now editor, damaged terribly by a fire that has rendered her unable to have sex easily by the unfortunate location of her scars. Nevertheless she has a child with another narcissist movie maker Connie, the birth of which kills her.

It's a book about modernity. Its amazing how the world has changed since The Vitner's Luck where Xas was Sobran's lover for life. An elicit love for sure, but a stable one. This stability is gone in The Angel's Cut. The view of heaven and hell, of God Xas and Lucifer is also fascinating, especially the idea that the souls that go to heaven are happy but lose their selfhood. I am still thinking about this book. It is a wonderful evocation of our dreams and disappointments.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this sequel to The Vintner's Luck as much as I enjoyed the original book, but it was still very good. There were even aspects of it that were better than the original. For example, whereas I felt that apart from Xas, Sobran, and Aurora (and Celeste, to a lesser extent) the supporting characters in The Vintner's Luck were not very well fleshed out, The Angel's Cut featured far more interesting backstories for even the more minor characters. And the major roles, well, I loved seeing more of Xas's point of view, and Flora in particular was wonderful. I also liked the setting, 1930s Hollywood. Like The Vintner's Luck, the pacing of the story was a bit all over the place, but also like the original, what was important in The Angel's Cut was that it definitely struck an emotional chord. I already knew that I loved Xas, of course, but I really loved the other characters as well. This story had a happier ending than The Vintner's Luck, or, well, a more open ending—I'm not sure quite how put my comparison into words—but it was no less dramatic. But speaking of the ending of The Vintner's Luck, I loved how this story continued the threads started there—with Lucifer, and with keeping Xas's relationship with Sobran as an important part of his character—while also developing new stories and relationships.

[Nicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've flicked through this a couple of times since I got it, and tried to read it, but I just... can't really get interested. Reading the summary leaves me cold, since I don't like the idea of Xas falling in love again after Sobran -- it doesn't seem to fit, somehow. I don't feel like this book brings anything particularly new and exciting to the table, which makes me a little sad -- but I also don't think I really wanted anything to follow The Vintner's Luck, so maybe I'm just the wrong audience.

I thought rereading The Vintner's Luck would make me eager to read this, but actually it made it worse. I'll keep it around in case one day it does sound interesting again.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something about Elizabeth Knox's narration that intrigues me, frustrates me, and enthralls me all at the same time. It feels wrong to only rate this book with four stars considering it is the sequel to my hands-down, all-time, favorite book, The Vintner's Luck, but while I thoroughly enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down, I wasn't as moved by this book the way I was its predecessor. I love the character, Xas. It was great to read about him again, but his continued story didn't turn out the way I hoped it would and seemed too sad a lot of the time with just brief, sweet intervals of happiness. I have to admit, I really despised Cole, his lover, a Howard Hughes type, and maybe that had a lot to do with it. I can only hope there will be another book coming, maybe set in modern times where Xas will actually fall in love with someone who is worthy of him and loves him equally in return. (But then, I didn't think Sobran was worthy of Xas' love either!)

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could I love Elizabeth Knox more? I'm not sure. I find something about her writing completely absorbing. It's partly the story, and partly the way she constructs sentences, each one following completely naturally from another, until one surprises, utterly. I hope this is not the last book about Xas, the fallen angel. But if it is, it was beautiful.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first novel The Vintner's Luck - it's one of my favourite books. I was thrilled to see Xas back although he felt a bit flat in this second book. I love Knox's writing and the way I always feel when I'm reading it - that neither of us knows what's going to come next. And the book has definitely left me with more questions than answers, which is why I rated it 5 stars. I'll keep thinking about it for sure. I hope there's a third one. And I'd love for it to be from Xas' point of view.

[Katie M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

And so my confusing and conflicting relationship with Elizabeth Knox's books continues. This was one of those sequels that's only satisfying in that it fulfills your need to find out what happened to the characters from the first book. Mostly it's a bit of a flop. But I still remain weirdly obsessed with The Vintner's Luck and totally captivated by the character Xas (I like this review that calls him "addictive"... it's really kind of true) so I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous sequel to The Vintner's Luck. I love how it focused on Xas, his relationships, and the relationships of the people he interacted with. I loved seeing him in a more modern situation and seeing how he dealt with the aftermath of Sobran's death.

The part near the end, how Flora has Alison and makes Xas the father... it was heartbreaking. I liked seeing that he wasn't a perfect father, either. It says, 'even though some people seem perfect, no one really is.'

Overall, excellent work, Knox. I might even go as far as to say I possibly enjoyed it more than The Vintner's Luck.

[lucy black · Rating 1 out of 5]

I sighed in disapointment when I finally finished this book. There is a lot of stuff I liked about it: the main character Xas is addictive, and the setting, and the cat. There was heaps I didn't like about it though: The pacing is (like The Vintners Luck) all over the show, The plot is like a sitcom or soap opera and the supporting cast are mostly boring (Crow, Millie) or ridiculous (Lucifer). I would say read it only if you're really into The Vintners Luck.

[Christin · Rating 3 out of 5]

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE?!

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Not as incredible as Vintner's Luck but still a damn good read. Knox writes about the tragedies of life in such an inevitable way, it's almost like an angel is writing them. It's sad but there's almost a shrugging, well whatcha gonna do about it, quality to it.

[Cheryl Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I loved the descriptions, the flow, the detail and I felt more at home with Xas. It's not a 5 because at times I lost the story but the writing is delicious. Descriptions detailed and perceptive. A curiously fascinating glimpse of a version of Hell.

The background historical film story and jazz interest offers an impressive insight into research and first or second hand knowledge

[Jamila]

Had a slow start but once i got into the rhythm i absolutely loved it. I just love Knox's writing.

[Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely and heartbreaking, yet different from the first, character driven story that makes me yearn for more! I already miss Xas. I love him so much!

[Powersamurai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rushed into this on finishing the first book, Vintner's Luck. Will Xas get to Heaven? Will he return to his garden in Hell? Will God forgive him?

I cannot lie, I was disappointed from the outstart. Why? Gone was the descriptive prose, gone was the romanticism. I had started it, I was going to finish it. Rarely do I give up on a book, no matter how bad it is. The next volume begins about 50 yrs after the 1st ended. We are now in the early 20th century, jumping years until we get to the 1920s. About 100 pages into the book that it dawned on me why I didn't like it as much as VL and why I probably couldn't get into it. Then it hit me. Knox changed her style of writing to a more modern one to suit the times. Once I had made that mental switch, I got right into it. Xas is attached to more people in this story, so I didn't feel as close to them as I did Sobran. But that all changed as the end was nigh.

Swinging between 3 and 4 stars. I gave it a 4, because the ending put a big smile on my face. Brilliant. I can see another book coming sometime in the next couple of years. Knox has not laid Xas to rest. We still do not know the answers to the questions, but we are certainly closer.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as its predecessor but a must read if you have read The Vintners Luck. If you havent read the Vintners Luck, it is one of my favourite books ever. The Angel's Cut is set in Hollywood, post WWI, and is interesting in its exploration of the film industry. The novel follows Xas and his exploits with some surprising twists in the tale.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes a great amount of diligence to get into this book but once you do, you simply can't put it down. Love how she linked both (The Vintner's Luck) books together and for a random book I picked up, it was a brilliant read.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Xas have a happy ending in the next one? Please. Though this book was beautiful. I sure would love to see him happy again.

[Candida Godson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting sequel to my favourite book.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Xas the angel hangs out with aviators and film makers in the 1930s. He becomes close to Millie and Flora and becomes lover of Conrad Cole the film director. However he falls in love, in a non-sexual way with Flora. He expresses his love b caring for her and making her comfortable. When she gets pregnant he delivers the baby and brings her up as his daughter when Flora falls sick. I feel like there is a lot more to this book that I didn’t understand.

[Phoenix1000 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this somewhat out of order, as this is book two. Interesting. The audiobook made it easy.
Oxen was my first of her books to read, it was very unusual and I doubted my reading abilities but certainly paid off, once finished it was amazing book. The Angels Cut was easier to follow, not as good as Oxen (in my view)

[Tina Ambury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic. Even better than the Vintner's Luck. Oh how I hope there's another.

[Bookwormthings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad I stumbled on these novels. Story, philosophy and religion all in one. Thought provoking.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely odd and frustrating - first 200 pages are pretty poor, second half excellent.

[Oshun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as compelling as Vintner's Luck. And I did not care for the ending at all. Your mileage may vary on this one. I regret buying it. If I had spent less on it I would be less disgruntled.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite satisfying, but a good yarn, around an interesting premise.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

So disappointed after the Vintners Luck. None of the magic or suspension of disbelief.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's been so long since i unwisely stayed up til 3am on a weekday to finish a book.. thank you elizabeth knox

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a terribly disappointing followup to The Vintner's Luck, one of my all-time favorites, and I frankly wish it hadn't been written. It shows glimmers of interest in the middle but fails to deliver anything of substance. The plot is basically nonexistent, and the new characters introduced here are unlikable. They are drunks and addicts and megalomaniacs, and I wish Xas would have found better friends. Honestly, is this the best a gorgeous, immortal, celestial being can do? How depressing! Even Lucifer comes across as annoying and pointless.

Nothing is answered by this book, no secrets are revealed, Babies Make Everything Better, and the religious conversations between Lucifer and Xas are indecipherable. Even the editing is bad-- the characters are in California, but British spellings and idioms slip in (the author being from New Zealand), like "tyre," "kerb," and "in hospital," whereas Americans would say "tire," "curb," and "in the hospital." I hope the author made a lot of money on this novel because I don't see any other reason for its existence.

[susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly gorgeous sequel to The Vintner's Luck, one of my favourite books of ALL TIME.

I'm glad I waited a year to read this. It needs distance from the world and rhythm of the first book that I got so invested in, considering what a huge change this book brings. Instead of five decades across nineteenth century France, this turns its focus to 1930s Hollywood, bracketed by the two World Wars.

While different from the Vintner's Luck, it feels just as expansive and intimate. It's such a good series to listen to on audiobook while going about one's day, because the plot just carries you, flowing, through time and change.

One quibble is - other than Xas, its focus was on two women, both of whom I found... pretty uninteresting. Most of the supporting characters were uninteresting, especially compared to the cast of the first book. Flora had potential - a sensible, guarded woman undone by the trauma and suffering in her life - but the only character I found really interesting was Cole. Every scene he was in, especially those he shared with Xas, was tense and near thrilling. I found the scene where he finds out Xas is an angel, and becomes sickeningly fixated on how he now feels liberated, to defile and ruin another being as he sees fit without consequence, to be horrible and fascinating. I was disappointed to see him gradually fade into the background immediately after that scene. Flora and Xas' growing platonic, mundane intimacy was beautifully written, however, not something that really lit a fire in me as a reader. Also, cool, Flora just died so Xas could have a baby and reflect more about mortality and humanity? It was done in a way where - yes, it makes sense, yes we've been building to how bodily broken Flora is, but - bye bye disposable uterus.

The theological and philosophical aspects were just as interesting - Lucifer is still an electrifying character, and peeling back the layers of his and Xas' history was the highlight of the book. I just adore Knox's take on Christian theology and heresy. The rest of the story is a melancholy reflection on modernity, time and mortality, seeping through every page of the book.

And there, under it all, never forgotten, driving Xas always, was his relationship with Sobran. brb while I flick through the first book again my god.